There’s only one country in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) in elevation: Lesotho. Known as the “The Kingdom in the Sky,” for obvious reasons, the entire territory of the landlocked kingdom in Southern Africa sits above 1,400 meters (4,593 feet).
In other words, the entire territory of Lesotho is at a higher altitude than the tallest mountains in many countries, including the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belarus, Estonia, Bangladesh, and Gambia, to name just a few.
Its unique geography is the product of the region’s complex history. Lesotho is an enclave of South Africa, meaning it’s totally surrounded by the territory of another nation.
The situation can be tied back to the early 19th century when the Zulu people, under their leader Shaka Zulu, established a standing army and embarked on a campaign of military expansion. The period of conflict became known as the Mfecane, or “crushing”, characterized by huge bloodshed and the displacement of people.
Among those fleeing from the violence were a clan led by King Moshoeshoe I that sought refuge in the mountains. Here, he built a kingdom that was easier to defend against invaders.
Formerly known as Basutoland, Lesotho became a native state under British colonial rule through a treaty signed with Moshoeshoe in 1843. It was annexed to the Cape Colony (a former British colony in present-day South Africa) in 1871, but was restored to direct Crown control in 1884. As part of the post-war push for the decolonization of Africa, the country gained independence in 1966 as the Kingdom of Lesotho, with King Moshoeshoe II as its sovereign ruler.
Several other landlocked nations are known for their mountainous landscapes, most notably Bhutan and Nepal in the Himalayas, although these areas’ lowest points are below 1,000 meters (3,281 feet). For example, Nepal’s highest point is the peak of Mount Everest at 8,848 meters (29,028 feet) above sea level, but the lowest point is a mere 60 meters (196 feet) in the Tarai plains of Jhapa, not far from the border with India.
So, Lesotho might not claim the title of the most mountainous nation on our planet, but it stands out for its remarkable extremity, never dipping below an altitude of 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) above sea level.
